Day 1 – 19 August
I was live to watch the breeze fill through the second largest fleet in Hamilton Island Race Week history (233 boats), and captured some of the key moments of the day in a gallery of images and wrap up video including the announcement of the inaugural Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race next year.
Stay tuned for more tomorrow…
Live for the Hamilton Island division starts
Wrap for day 1 at Hamilton Island Race Week
Day 2 – 20 August 2018
Day two got off to a ripping start at Hamilton Island Race Week with 35-40 knots recorded at the airport at 0200 hours.
There was a postponement on shore while the breeze abated, but Wild Oats XI were first to head out, and went for a training sail even in the solid conditions in front of the yacht club and waiting sailors (video below!).
Racing eventually got away, and what a display from the IRC fleets especially as they absolutely motored around the Whitsunday passages.
Check out the full wrap below, including up close and personal maxi boat footage or watch the live for coverage with the cruising Hamilton Island divisions!
My personal thoughts are with all of Matt Day’s family and friends as they sent him off yesterday. I know all who won dedicated their wins to him, and there is no black electrical tape left on the Island.
Time to hit the water for day three…
Live while postponed on shore watching Wild Oats XI
Live coverage of the Hamilton Island Divisions
Day two wrap up!
Wild Oats XI memory from 2016
Day 3 – 21 August 2018
On day three for Hamilton Island Race Week, all of the 233 yachts were sent in different directions on a “tour” of the Whitsundays for their longest race of the series.
I was in amongst the action with the maxis and other big boats in big breeze and big waves for their start.
What a great way to spend a Tuesday, or any day! In the Whitsundays, with wind, waves, sun and some serious boat porn.
Live with the big boats for their long race!
Day 4 – 23 August 2018
Day four of Hamilton Island Race Week kicked off with the inaugural “Prix de Elegance” with boats parading in their themed or best uniformed outfits. Some key moments were “Pop Eye”, “Jurassic Minx” and the Romanza team’s uniform including synchronised ‘lounging’ on the massive trimaran.
Livestream for the IRC passage fleets
Live for the Prix de Elegance
Full gallery
“Pillow Talk”
Day 5 – 24 August 2018
Day five and counting at Hamilton Island Race Week, and we are getting to the business end of operations!
I was live for the first few starts in Dent Passage with the Hamilton Island (or cruising) Divisions, before ripping over to catch the IRC Passage Divisions. You can check out the livestream feeds below.
We hung in with Division 1 to watch the battle between the TP52’s and the maxis that has developed over the past week. In the end, Wild Oats XI went on to beat Black Jack across the line, and at the time of writing this we were still waiting to see the outcome between the TP’s which will decide the winner of the much sort after Rolex!
More tomorrow from this beautiful part of the world that is Hamilton Island.
